Calcio returns to normal after scandal

MILAN, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Italy is eagerly awaiting the prospect of the most exciting Serie A season in years with no team starting on minus points and big guns Juventus back in the top flight.

The last campaign was damaged by Juve's demotion to the
second tier for match-fixing and Milan, Fiorentina, Lazio and
Reggina having points deducted for their role in the scandal.

Inter Milan, awarded the 2006 scudetto in a courtroom, broke
records galore on their way to a first title on the field since
1989 but it was devalued by the lack of competition.

This season though offers a raft of mouthwatering clashes
with big clubs Genoa and Napoli also in the mix after promotion.

There is even the prospect of a four horse race for the
championship, which in many ways has benefited from the traumas.

Despite the slightly hollow victory, Inter now believe in
themselves and a repeat of previous collapses is unlikely.

Similarly AS Roma gained confidence from finishing
runners-up with Francesco Totti banging in 26 goals to win the
European Golden Boot and proving he could play upfront alone.

Milan's eight-point deduction meant they could not mount a
title challenge, which gave Carlo Ancelotti's side the chance to
concentrate on winning the Champions League.

Juventus want to show they are still a force despite their
year in Serie B and have gone on a large spending spree to
complement the top names they kept such as Gianluigi Buffon.

'Serie A this year will be beautiful, competitive and
enhanced by the great teams that were missing before - Napoli,
Genoa and Juventus,' said Juve coach Claudio Ranieri, who kept
Parma up last season before replacing Didier Deschamps.

Stadium security has also been improved following the shock
at a policeman's death during riots at Catania in February.

All is still not rosy in Italian football, however.

Outside the main four, most clubs are short on resources and
top players with Lazio and Parma shadows of their former selves.

Milan's Kaka apart, big foreign names have generally been
choosing Spain or England over Italy in recent years but now
even Italians are turning their backs on Serie A.

Italy striker Luca Toni moved to Bayern Munich from
Fiorentina and among others Livorno striker Cristiano Lucarelli
made the surprise decision to go to Ukraine's Shakhtar Donetsk.

The flow of talent into Serie A has been a trickle at best.

Roma brought in Brazil defender Juan and Barcelona winger
Ludovic Giuly but have failed to address the issue of who would
score the goals if talisman Totti was injured for a long period.

Lyon's Portugal midfielder Tiago was Juve's biggest buy at
€13 million but some fans are disappointed.

The defence looked shaky in Serie B and new boys Jorge
Andrade and Czech centre back Zdenek Grygera have not stopped
the rot in friendlies.

The big moves came within Italy with Inter using their
champions' status to tempt Romania defender Cristian Chivu from
Roma and Cagliari striker David Suazo. Milan tried to hijack the
Suazo deal and relations between the rivals are at a real low.

Italy will come together though in May to honour a great
player. AC Milan captain Paolo Maldini, 39, will retire after 23
years at the San Siro and is desperate to add to his 24 winners'
medals.